VC considers safety upgrades after fire


By Ava Slaughter
Posted 1/29/25

Valley Central School District administrators and board members are exploring a range of proposals to improve safety, infrastructure, and operations across the district following a recent fire …

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VC considers safety upgrades after fire

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Valley Central School District administrators and board members are exploring a range of proposals to improve safety, infrastructure, and operations across the district following a recent fire emergency. At the Jan. 27 board meeting, officials discussed potential upgrades, including repairing the school’s faulty speaker system, modernizing athletic programs, and adopting energy-efficient technologies.

The proposals, which also address curriculum and staffing, will be presented at a public meeting on Feb. 10, where community members are invited to provide feedback and learn more about the district’s priorities.

Athletics and Safety
Vice President Katie McKnight emphasized the inclusion of athletic equipment in the district’s budget, as many costs are currently covered out of pocket by students and their families. Board Member Sarah Messing also proposed having two coaches for each level of sports to better support student-athletes.

Safety concerns were highlighted by board member Angela Terralavoro, who stressed the need to repair the school’s faulty speaker system; the issue was brought to light during a recent fire emergency on Jan. 9th, when two small fires broke out in the boys’ bathrooms at Valley Central High School. Although the fires were extinguished quickly by security and faculty, the speaker system failed in the back part of the building, putting the safety of faculty and students at risk. Terralavoro emphasized the importance of all communication systems operating correctly, especially during an emergency. “The speaker system failed them,” Terralavoro noted. Jane Samuelson further proposed infrastructure improvements to enhance safety and accommodate modern learning models.

Energy Efficiency and Transportation
Board member Frances Fox-Pizzonia proposed transitioning to electric buses through the Governor’s grant initiative, striving to reduce transportation costs and environmental impact. She also suggested researching the potentials for the installment of solar panels on the district’s rooftops to lower expenses. President Joe Bond built on these ideas, recommending reflective panels to regulate building temperatures and roll-in air conditioning units to improve climate control and expense efficiency.

Optimizing Curriculum and Staffing
Board member Diana Revoir suggested reviewing and consolidating low-attendance elective classes and clubs. Jane Samuelson advocated for professional development for coaches, focusing on training and the implementation of standard operating procedures. Bond also proposed sending an IT staff member for advanced training to better maintain the district’s audio-visual equipment such as the scoreboards and speakers.

Additional Proposals

Other key suggestions included:
• Cellphone Policy: McKnight proposed researching the expenses within the governor’s potential movement on banning cellphones in classrooms and the cost of using secure phone pouches.
• Universal Pre-K (UPK): Frances Fox-Pizzonia suggested bringing UPK management back to the district, noting that the renovation of buildings could make the program more cost-effective.
• Project Management: Sarah Messing recommended hiring a dedicated project manager to oversee district initiatives and ensure smooth execution for projects like these.

Preparing for the Future

“Please be prepared to elaborate on these. This is just our informal meeting, be prepared to discuss them at the public meeting,” Bond said, urging all board members to advocate and research for their proposals ahead of the public meeting.

The community is invited to attend the upcoming public meeting to provide input and learn more about these proposed improvements to the Valley Central School District.